When it Becomes Real

We met with the medical team this morning.

The main purpose of the appointment was to go over all of the medications David will need to take before, during, and after his chemotherapy treatments.

Once again, the doctors stressed that this type of cancer is very curable.

They also gave us some pretty simple—but very important—instructions:

Drink at least two liters of water a day.
Eat, even when you aren't hungry.
Keep moving and stay active.
And most importantly, tell the medical team how you're feeling.

If something changes, speak up.

Simple enough, right?

After the appointment, we went to pick up David's medications.

They weren't ready yet, so I came back after work.

As I stood at the pharmacy counter listening to the pharmacist explain each medication, something happened that I wasn't expecting.

I broke down crying.

Standing there, listening to all the medications David would be taking, everything suddenly became real.

This isn't supposed to happen.

This isn't supposed to be happening now.

This is supposed to be something we deal with another 20 years from now.

We're supposed to grow old together first.

We can handle this.

I know we can.

But, whoa...

What direction is up right now?

Chemo was originally scheduled to start this Thursday. Then, toward the end of the day, the oncologist called.

Treatment needs to be pushed back until next week because he had overlooked a medication David has been taking for years.

And honestly, as frustrating as that was, it was also a pretty important reminder.

In healthcare, we hear the phrase “advocate for yourself” all the time.

This is a prime example of why.

Know your medications.

Know what you're taking and why.

Ask questions.

Ask if anything you're currently taking could interfere with your treatment.

And don't assume that someone else has caught everything—even when you understandably believe they should have.

Speak up.

Double-check.

Be involved in your own care.

So now we wait another week.

Part of me is frustrated.

Part of me is relieved that the issue was caught before treatment started.

And part of me is still standing at that pharmacy counter trying to wrap my head around how quickly our lives have changed.

Maybe everything does happen for a reason.

I don't know.

What I do know is that we're going to keep asking questions, keep advocating, keep learning, and keep moving forward.

One day at a time.

Tuesday

September 29, 2026

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